The Fourth

Freedom, independence & a marine named Carlos. Last week I was trying to decide what kind of Fourth of July sweets to make or if I was even going to make anything at all. Then I received an email from a reader’s boyfriend and I knew I wanted to… had to… do something for the holiday.

Here’s his letter. And by the way, I couldn’t make anything sweeter than this.

Hi there Bakerella!

My name is Carlos and I’m a United States Marine, and have been one since 1998. If you wouldn’t mind just giving my e-mail some thought, I’d be grateful. Here’s the story:

My girlfriend just went away to Marine Corps bootcamp not yet a month ago. She LOVES to bake, but unfortunately didn’t get much time to do so because her job took up most of her free time, so she lived vicariously through you. She’s a fan of photography also, so your blog was a welcome reprieve from a long, hard day at the office. As you may or may not know, bootcamp for Marines is 13 weeks long; the only contact with the outside world is through snail mail. I miss my girlfriend immensely and while I know she’s doing something for her country that she’s always wanted to do, it’s hard on me. I digress, she loves your blog. I know the 4th of July is coming up and I ask you this not only for her, but also for the men and women in the Armed Forces who really know and FEEL the meaning behind this holiday. I think it would be very patriotic and meaningful to bake and decorate something in the spirit of the military, not just flags and sparklers like everyone else is doing – but something to show people that our military needs support and we need to remember them while we’re lighting off fireworks at the family BBQ. You know?

Now, I’m asking this because I think it would touch a special place in some of your reader’s hearts. I’m willing to bet you have quite a following amongst military wives and/or girlfriends. How nice would it be to show your support? I’ve served 3 tours in Iraq and am due to go to Afghanistan for a year in the next few months. I won’t get to see my girlfriend graduate from bootcamp in September, I won’t get to see her looking sharp in her uniform, I won’t get to see the pride on her face as finally, at 28 years old, she joins the ranks of The Few, The Proud… so this would be my chance to show her I thought of her. This is your chance to show you think of our military, as many others should be doing. Maybe it’ll get people to look for ways to support us with baked goods? During the colder months overseas, my girlfriend would bake cookies and anything else she could that would hold up to the travel and heat, and send on enough for my whole platoon. A taste of home, a taste of love… opening up a box with the smells of back home was something you just can’t explain. It was magical. My girlfriend didn’t stop there though, she adopted Marines, Soldiers and Airman through Anysoldier.com and sent them care packages and notes of encouragement.

I realize I’m all over the place here, but trying to get my point across is difficult without writing you a novel. I think you get the gist. 4th of July is about more and I’d love to write my girlfriend a letter and say, ‘Bakerella appreciates the Armed Forces, when you get back to the real world and have access to a computer… go see her 4th of July post.’ Now, I don’t know if you’ll do this or not and it’s fine either way. I just wanted to tell you a little story and hope that maybe a tiny blurb in your blog would entice your readers into caring just a tiny bit more and thinking just a bit deeper on our Independence Day.

I appreciate your time in reading this!

Carlos

What a sweetheart. When I read his letter, I immediately wanted to make and send something to surprise his girlfriend. I thought, how cute would it be for her to open a box of colorful cake pops! Then, Carlos informed me that they can’t receive food during boot camp. I pictured her being forced to eat all the pops at one time and then made to run 10 miles or something. I don’t think she’d like that too much. Picture it. Cute little cake pops. Marines. Lollipop sticks. Marines. Sprinkles. Marines. Not the best idea for her sake.

Now, I can’t send her anything sweet, but I can send her these sweet simple words of appreciation.

It’s not much, but I hope that if you do see this when your 13 weeks of boot camp are over, that it puts a smile on your face. And know that you and all members of the armed forces were thought of this July 4th.

Plus… that Carlos… he sounds like a keeper.

What about you? Is there someone on your mind… or in your heart… this holiday?

As a wife of a soldier, this post made me cry a little. It's so hard being away from the one you love but I think Carlos hit it spot on with that email. He's a keeper and then some ;) Then there are those cake pops! I hope you don't mind, I might have to steal that idea for the FRG bakesale this week. They are perfect. You are amazing!

Love the cake pops! And what a great letter :) Carlos is right – I know many military wives that read your blogs. I am one of them. My husband is serving in the Air Force – he has been to Iraq & Afghanistan but I am lucky to have him home for now. We are currently stationed in Okinawa, Japan – quite far from home! Baking is something I love to do to pass the time here and your blogs give me plenty of ideas to keep me busy!

Happy Independence Day to all! Please remember those serving, those who have served and those who have lost their lives while protecting our freedom!

This Battalion Family Readiness Group Advisor and wife of an Army Battalion Commander, who is about to mobilize, thanks you for posting this. They are, of course, beautiful. The letter made my day. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Absolutely awesome! Those are just gorgeous. Thanks for your support of our troops. Good luck to his girlfriend in the rest of her bootcamp. And a huge thank you to Carlos for his service, and best wishes to him as he prepares to deploy to Afghanistan. Semper Fi!

A wonderful post! Thank you Carlos and yours for all you do for us here in the US. Thank you to all of my students who have served and returned to sit in my classroom and write about what they know of their experiences protecting me and my family – all of us. ~Kelly

Thank you, Miss Bakerella, for remembering the US Coast Guard in your lovely tribute. Not only am I married to a Chief, but much more of my family is made up of hard working Coasties and it's always disheartening when the 5th armed service is not remembered with their brothers-in-arms. There has, after all, been Coast Guardsmen fighting and dying in every war since the Coast Guard's inception. So thank you again, for remembering all of our brothers, uncles, fathers, husbands, and sons this Independence Day!

As a military wife, I appreciate your heart felt tribute to the men and women who protect this great nation of ours. We truly are the "Land of the Free, Beacause of the Brave!" My husband is in the Air Force and has served 4 deployments to Iraq, Afganistan and Columbia. It is very special to have him home this 4th of July. My boys and I missed him so much last year at this time!Thanks again!

Thank you so much Bakerella! I myself am not a military wife, but my father-in-law was a career marine, one brother-in-law was in the navy, and another brother-in-law is currently serving in the army. He has been home on leave for a few weeks and has to go back to Afghanistan today (ironically). Since he'll have to fly through Germany and it's a long trip, he'll actually probably get there tomorrow. Again, ironically.

Thank you for sharing this, Bakerella! And thank you for honoring our armed forced. I am actually doing Operation Baking Gals this week and sending some cookies to soldiers overseas. I wish I could send some cute red, white, and blue cakepops or cupcake pops or just cupcakes, but I don't think they'd make it still in their original, solid form.

Once again Bakerella – you have done it! You are amazing! And thanks to Carlos and his girlfriend! That is the TRUE spirit of America! Independence Day is one of may favorite holidays because of that! Thanks to all who have served!

This letter brought a tear to my eye. As the wife of a Marine, this holiday holds a special place in my heart. It is so much more than fireworks and hotdogs…it is about surviving deployments, raising kids alone, missing family and friends…and doing it all in support of the USA. Thank you for your support for those who serve this nation, both directly and indirectly. Happy 4th!

This made me cry. It is so sweet. Thanks to you and Carlos. I'm missing my husband something fierce today, he's deployed and this is our favorite holiday. I may just have to go make some cake pops to cheer myself up :) Happy Fourth to everyone!

Thanks for posting that. It brought tears to my eyes and made me want to do something beyond the ordinary for this holiday! We are so blessed to live in this country and we owe it all to our troops and those men and women who have sacrificed for us. Happy Independence Day!

You have to find out when her graduation is taking place and send her some then (from Carlos). Besides it's Independence Day every day when you're in the military. And how sweet would it be to know he had been thinking about her all along…especially when he's away on her special day!

Thanks Bakerella, I knew you wouldn't let us down! I have a son and daughter-in-law in the military and I'm so proud of them! My son spent a year in Afghanistan and thinks he may be going back. If he does, I'm making some of these to send over!

I won your edible ink pens, still trying to decide what to try with them!

I agree…Carlos is a keeper! What a thoughtful guy!! My husband is a nurse/medic in the Army & just arrived home from Active Duty on Wednesday. I have always loved these holidays, but they mean so much more to me & my family now that we have a soldier in the family. My favorite quote right now is "Freedom is not Free". I think that that says it all.

Thanks for the patriotic cake pops! I love the sprinkles & the ribbon.

Oh Bakerella, I just cried my eyes out over tht post. I found your blog a few months bck and have been a avid reader every since. I cannot wait to see what you post next. It just brings a smile to my face after a long day. I military also. I have served in the Air Force for the last 12 years. I am also a military wife. I know what it is like to send your husband off to war. The men and women look forward to those care packages, especially those with homemade goodies. Thank you so much for posting Carlos' letter. I know that it means alot to him and his girlfriend. It sure meat alot to me. Thank you for your support of the military. The cake pops are great. The best part is the yellow ribbon, it has become a symbol for what we are celebrating. The men and women who are not with us today to celebrate. I may try to make some for our July 4th celebration. If you can please let Carlos know that I will pray for himn and his girlfriend and that we are very proud of them.

I don't know if Carlos or his girlfrind will read all your comments, but just in case….Years ago after the Gulf War, I was at a 4th of July parade in a large city…there were MANY, groups of amrned forces marching in rank throught the entire parade. Everytime some came by the entire crowd stood and cheered. I was crying my eyes out, seeing all those brave people who love their country and serve their country; all together walking proudly in rank….It still brings tears to my eyes thinking about it…it was a very powerful, moving moment in my life….Thank you Carlos and all of our armed forces for your time, bravery, and sacrifice.

Love the Cake Pops. Sometimes less really is more. Love how clean and simple they are.

I grew up as a Military Brat…my father was in the Air Force. He passed away last spring, so the holidays (especially the patriotic ones) are difficult. I don't live near my Mom to help as I should, but my thoughts are with her, and the rest of the Military Service Men and Women (present and past) as we celebrate this Independence Day. Happy 4th.

I do not have anyone in the military. But I have friends who have husbands or had and I tell you. I really feel for them. I have to say this post had me in tears. The pops are great. Plus what a great guy Carlos is!

These are great Bakerealla. What an amazing job. I think you did all the military proud. I am so grateful to our service men and women. And while Carlos' girlfriend may not be able to receive treats at the moment, there are lots of other soldiers who can. I am a member of Soldiers Angels. We send letters and care packages to soldiers serving so far from home. There are many ways to get involved with this great organization. Including a team called Angel Bakers, who specifically sends homemade treats. If you or anyone else would like more information, check out soldiersangels.com or contact me directly, I'd be happy to answer any questions.

that brought tears to my eyes. we are an air force family currently stationed in germany, so i can certainly relate to the whole military aspect! thank you, bakerella, for your beautiful cake-pop-response, and God Bless the USA!

Thanks for sharing this email from Carlos. God bless these men and women who are serving their country, who are willing to go through so much and then some… seriously, thank you for sharing, Bakerella!

Awwwww!!! That is about the sweetest thing I have ever read. I will most definately think of all of the people out there who are doing everything that they can for all of our country this 4th of July. Thank you Carlos, and thank you Bakerella!

Happy Fourth of July ! This is such a sweet post. My nephew is currently in training for Afghanistan and will be heading there with the Canadian forces in january ;eaving behind his new baby girl. It is so hard to think about…but I am going to start thinking about goodie boxes to send too…

Thank you for sharing that sweet letter, it brought tears to my eyes! Our son is in the Army and stationed overseas so he won't be with us as we celebrate 4th of July this year. I loved the beautiful cake pop tribute you made!

Jana said… shoot shoot shoot, I just woke up and I am already crying. I am an army wife. My husband is my bestfriend. Carlos thanks for your service! And congrats to your lovely strong girlfriend…Bakerella this is why I love you, your just the sweetest thing…no wonder you churn out such…uh…sweet things!!

My brother went to Marine boot camp the same time as Carlos' girlfriend it sounds like, and it's been hard on the family (and very hard on him from what we can tell in his letters). This means a lot that you put so much effort into something for them. I can't wait to show him this when he comes home. Thanks Bakerella!

Thank you Bakerella. I am also married to a Navy Sailor, and to us this is what Independence Day is all about. Our men and women overseas work so hard, and miss out on so much. My husband missed the birth of our daughter because he was overseas. Again, thank you so much!!

That was a great letter (and how lucky they are to have found each other).

I live vicariously through your blog – love to bake but not nearly as creative as you are. I do play with paper and scissors quite a bit though. Another option to help our men and women in uniform is to make some cards for them to send home. It can be done through cardsforheroes.org.

I LOVE this!! I, too, was brought to tears by the Marine's letter and your fabulous response. You are so good to remember the reason we celebrate this holiday. Not only for the amazing men and women who came before us…but for those currently serving our country and preserving our way of life and the lives of others. 'The land of the free because of the brave' indeed!!

My husband is in the Army and is currently deployed for 18 months in the Middle East. To say it is sometimes a challenge would be an understatement. :) However, we couldn't be more proud of him and are more than willing to serve our country via separation in honor and support of his dedication to this great nation.

I would also encourage everyone to visit LetsSayThanks.com. In just a few minutes, you can write letters of encouragement, pick a card design, press send…and Xerox sends the cards to those brave men and women deployed around the world at no cost to you.

Awwww! The email Carlos sent you brought tears to my eyes. As an Army wife and Navy brat, it hits close to home. The pops you made are awesome, as usual, just like everything you do! Thank you so much sharing this with us and giving a shout out to the men and women in uniform. Have a happy and safe Independance Day!

First of all, thank you so much for sharing that letter! Carlos sounds like such a nice guy. I love hearing from the dedicated men and women that serve our country. I am grateful for them and their supportive families. Secondly- I'm a huge fan! I love your site and ideas. Thanks for doing what you do :)

Wow! So amazing! Thanks so much to Carlos and his Girlfriend for giving to all of us. I appreciate you. Cake Pops are amazing as always! I will say, my kiddos always bake something on Labor & Memorial Day all by themselves and we deliver them to the local Veterans as a thanks. The kids love it & they love them! Awesome Story! Tabtiha